Radiology in Afghanistan: Imaging the wounded

Photo By Cmdr. Jesse Ehrenfeld | Cmdr. Lance Klosterman, a U.S. Navy physician radiologist, performs an ultrasound on a military working dog at the NATO Role III Multinational Medical Unit on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.  

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

01.22.2015

Story by Lt.Cmdr. Jesse Ehrenfeld 

NATO Role III Multinational Medical Unit

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The Department of Radiology at the NATO Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Air Field provides both diagnostic and interventional radiology services to U.S. and coalition forces. Equipped with state of the art equipment – including two multi-slice CT scanners and several ultrasound machines – the Department utilizes the latest in digital radiography technology to generate, interpret and transmit high quality diagnostic images. Currently the Department is staffed with a single physician radiologist and three radiology technologists who provide 24/7 access to studies and interpretations. During 2010 to 2012, which was the most active period of Operation Enduring Freedom at the Role 3, the Department was staffed with up to three physicians and 10 radiology technologists.

In the combat setting, our focus of care is on trauma patients and our radiology staff are always on-hand to perform urgent studies to aid in the diagnosis and triage of patients. Additionally, interventional radiology services are often provided to stop bleeding using minimally invasive techniques. This approach involves the use of fluoroscopic devices in an operating room, where small catheters can be directed to evaluate a patient’s vessels. When a bleeding vessel is identified, it can be blocked using a technique called embolization, to reduce the amount of surgery required to control the bleeding.

"Trauma radiology is different here than back home, because blast injuries can affect parts of the body that often do not appear injured at first glance. That is the main advantage of having a 64-slice CT scanner which allows us to examine the entire patient for possible hidden injuries, while limiting the patients total radiation dose at the same time," said Cmdr. Lance Klosterman an interventional radiologist and Navy reservist based in Tennessee.

In addition to providing outstanding care for U.S. and coalition forces, the Department of Radiology works hand-in-hand, or perhaps hand-in-paw, with the base veterinarians to assist in diagnosis and treatment of the military working dogs. The animals, who play a critical role in detecting explosives and protecting military personnel, come to the NATO Role 3 frequently to obtain imaging studies or image-guided procedures such as injections. "Veterinary radiology is not something most physicians get the opportunity to practice in the States," said Klosterman. "However, working collaboratively with the Army veterinarians, we can provide services that keep our working dogs healthy and happy. One of the best aspects of my job here is the collaborative nature of our work. And this includes working with veterinarians across species too."

The division of radiology is one of the more active sections at the Role 3 supporting the trauma patients and inpatients as well as outpatients referred from the Role 1 clinics. "At my job back home, I deal with an older population and chronic diseases. Here, the patients are young and healthy with acute issues, primarily musculoskeletal injuries," commented Klosterman.

Often recognized for their outstanding customer service, the Department of Radiology has focused not only on providing services in a timely manner, but also performing the correct study every time for each patient. All studies are reviewed by a radiologist prior to being performed, which allows each exam to be tailored to best make the diagnosis – with as little risk to the patient as possible. "Our surgeons and specialty doctors rely on our imaging capabilities, which is often a vital next step in the process of care for our patients," commented HM1 Cristorey Soriano, lead radiology technologist and an active duty sailor based out of Naval Medical Center San Diego. "The biggest difference working forward is working with our sister services and coalition forces. This has been a remarkable experience for me."

• Date Taken: 01.22.2015
• Date Posted: 01.22.2015 12:10
• Story ID: 152453
• Location: KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF
• Hometown: JOHNSON CITY, TN, US
• Hometown: SAN DIEGO, CA, US